Summer safety for pets

Summer Pet Comfort and Safety

Keeping Your Pets Safe in the Summer Heat

This summer, there has been an almost daily barrage of excessive heat reports followed by precautions we should take to avoid heat-related illnesses. How about our pets? They don’t sweat like their human caretakers do. What can we do to keep them safe?

Safety Tips

To ensure your pets' safety and comfort, here are a few ideas:

  • Provide ample shade & shelter.
  • Make sure they have a fresh & cool water supply.
  • Let your pet play in a shallow pool of water.
  • Regular grooming is essential to remove excess fur.
  • Opt for early morning or late evening walks.

That last point is important because hot concrete and asphalt can blister your pet’s paws. Here's a good rule of thumb to follow:

Pavement and Asphalt can burn paws

  • If the air temp is 85°, expect the concrete temperature to be 105° and the asphalt temperature to be 130°.
  • If the air temp is 90°, expect the concrete temperature to be 125° and the asphalt temperature to be 140°.
  • If the air temp is 95°, expect the concrete temperature to be 140° and the asphalt temperature to be 155°.

You can also follow the 10-second rule. Put your hand on the surface. If you can’t keep it there for 10 seconds, it’s too hot for their paws. Taking these precautions will ensure your pet is comfortable & happy throughout the summer.

Feeling neighborly? Keep a bowl of fresh water out front for thirsty dogs. They love it!

Ripley appreciates a fresh water spigot built in to the irrigation system. Nice design touch!

Five ways to Dog Proof your yard

We love our pets, but sometimes they can really “ruff” up our outdoor living spaces. Check out our tips on creating a dog-friendly landscape to keep both you and your pup happy.

Dog friendly landscaping tips

Keep Browsing



Other Recent Blog Articles

How to Play Backyard Bocce Ball

Bocce Ball is popular because it's easy to learn and fun for all ages. It's the perfect Father's Day activity for a family gathering. Give it a try!

Captivating Transformations

Captivating before and after landscape transformations. From unremarkable spaces to beautifully-crafted outdoor areas.

Friendly competition at home

Are you trying to perfect your short game, start a neighborhood pick-up league, or host family-friendly competitions at home? We've all seen backyard pools and basketball hoops on the garage. Consider these less common backyard games.